Holidays in Bryn Athyn are one-of-a-kind, from holiday tea to a two-story tree at Christmastime. Go back in time to explore the beauty of the timeless treasures in this National Historic Landmark District.
When it comes to Christmas in Montco, no one does it better than Bryn Athyn, with picturesque Christmas tours at all three of their historic sites. The “Christmas in the Castle Tour” at the Glencairn Museum is a 45-minute tour that shows patrons how the Pitcairn family would decorate for and celebrate Christmas in the early 20th century. Along with the family’s collection of ancient Egyptian and medieval European artifacts, visitors will also see seasonal works of art collected by the family, including the Nativity of Jesus Christ. The end of the tour brings guests to the World Nativities gallery, where they are free to explore dozens of handcrafted nativities from around the world.
Cairnwood Estate gives guests a look back in time at Christmas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. When touring the estate during Christmas, you will get to experience three floors of the Gilded Age country house decorated by professional florists, as well as a stunning, two-story Christmas tree at the heart of the home. An annual Christmas gown exhibition that includes elegant fashions worn by the ladies of the house is displayed in the estate each year. The Holiday Tea & Tours gives you access to the gown exhibition with a guided tour as well as an elegant, sit-down tea hosted in the estate’s dining, music, or billiard rooms. Holiday tea is a Victorian age custom, which is revived and relived at Cairnwood during Christmastime. For an even more festive event, Cairnwood by Candlelight on December 12 gives you a candle-lit experience of the holiday tour with live music, yuletide desserts, and holiday cheer!
Nothing says Christmas like poinsettias in a church, and the Bryn Athyn Cathedral’s Christmas décor is nothing short of spectacular. During the holiday season, their custom-made nativity scene that was commissioned for the Pitcairn family in the 1920’s is on display in the Romanesque-style cathedral. Explore the symbolism and floor to ceiling stained-glass windows as you tour this magnificent piece of architecture.
Whether you are looking to tour the World Nativities or see hundreds of poinsettias, the Bryn Athyn Historic District is the ultimate holiday destination.
